Association between myokines, skeletal muscle mass and postoperative cognitive disease in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18276
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55050:Anesthesiology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: MURAKAMI Chiaki 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(医学域), 助教 (70825877)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 術後神経・認知機能障害 / 高齢者 / マイオカイン / 骨格筋量

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Postoperative cognitive disease (POCD) is one of common complications with general anesthesia especially in elderly patients. POCD can prolong hospital stays and decrease quality of life. Neuroinflammation is considered to be one cause of POCD. It is characterized by physical responses to the released inflammatory cytokines. Myokines are one of cytokines secreted from skeletal muscle mass. We examined an association between plasma myokine levels, skeletal muscle mass and postoperative delirium, which is a kind of POCD.
Patients aged over 65 years old undergoing general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. Plasma levels of myokines, skeletal muscle mass and occurrence of postoperative delirium were measured until 14 postoperative days. There was no significant association between plasma levels of myokines, skeletal muscle mass and POCD.

Free Research Field

anesthesia

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

POCDは高齢者で起きやすく、高齢化が進む現代では原因解明と予防が重要な課題となっている。本研究ではPOCDの原因とされる脳内炎症を引き起こすサイトカインとして、これまでに報告のないマイオカインに注目した。新たなアプローチを検討することでPOCD研究における今後の可能性を広げることができた。